Shoe, slipper, boot, and the like



May 31, 1932. P. w. BULLOCK 1,861,299

SHOE, SLIPPER, BOOT, AND THE LIKE Filed April 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR Percy Vl- Bullock,

ATTORNEY May 31, 1932. P. w. BULLOCK SHOE, SLIPPER, BOOT, AND THE LIKEFiled April 17,1950

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN E! May 31, 1932. P. w. BULLOCK SLIPPER,BOOT, AND THE! LIKE SHOE,

Filed April 17, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENIOR Percy W. Bullock,

ATTORN Y May 31, 1932. P. w. BULLOCK SHOE, SLIPPER, BOO-T, AND THE LIKEFiled April 17. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Percy W. Bullock,

ATTORNEY Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PERCY WILLIAM BULLOCK, OFCOUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND SHOE, SLIPLPER, BOQT, AND THE LIKEApplication filed April 17, 1930, Serial No. 445,162, and in GreatBritain May 2, 1929.

This invention relates to shoes, slippers, boots and the like, e. g.goloshes, hereinafter referred to as shoes, and has for its object toproduce a shoe with a soft counter, which can be very easily put on thefoot and removed therefrom and which fits snugly the heel of the foot sothat when walking there is substantially no sliding motion between thecounter of the shoe and the heel of the foot.

Shoes with soft counters have been pro posed in which the upper has beendivided vertically at or near the centre of the counter, and the partsof the upper from such division are extended, such extensions beingwrapped around the heel of the foot and overlap one another. It has alsobeen suggested to secure a strip of flexible material along the verticaledges thereof to the said flaps, such strip being lasted into the solealong its lower edge. "1 he said strip of flexible material is formedwith pleats arranged fanwise and located on each side of the heel, so asto register with the hollows at the rear of the ankle bone.

According to my invention, the upper is made at the counter wholly orpartly of a soft flexible material which is formed in continuity with,and connects the two sides of the upper, and said counter is made oflarger size than that required forlitting the foot, so that the foot canbe very easily introduced into or withdrawn from the shoe. The counterof the upper is moveover adapted to be folded back 011 itself once'onlyat one or both sides of the foot, so as to allow the rear part thereofto lie closely in position against the heel of the foot. In order toretain the flexible counter in such position, there is provided a flapwhich is preferably secured or formed integrally with the inner side ofthe shoe and is connected in a suitable manner to the outer side of theshoe, such flap passing round the counter or some part thereof and beingshaped to fit the curvature of the heel of the foot, or so contrived-asto facilitate a the distance from the top of the upper downwards. Theend of the flap at the outer side of the shoe is provided with suitablemeans for retaining it in position, for example it may be secured by aclip, hook or snap fastener, such as the fastening forming the subjectof my co-pending application Serial No. 420,204, or it may be formedinto a strap to engage with a buckle on the side of the shoe. The innerend of the flap can be made int-egrally with the upper, or it may beformed of a separate piece of leather or other material and be securedto the upper at a point at the rear of the counter e. g. by a verticalseam extending from the top to the bottom thereof or if" desired oneither the inner or the outer side of the shoe in the area of the rearof the counter.

If desired the flap may be made of two parts which are so arranged thatone part overlaps the other part, the upper edges of the said partsbeing suitably secured together as for example, by sewing. The parts mayalso be secured together at the lower edge.

In the accompanying drawings which show by way of example several formsof shoe embodying the present invention Figures 1, 2 and 3 areperspective views of one form of shoe,

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of a modification.

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of another modified constructionof shoe.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of a further modifiedarrangement of shoe, and

Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of forms of goloshes embodyingthe invention.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the upper 1 is divided at the heel and aflexible strip of material 2a, 26, such as for example, a strip of softleather, is secured to and connects the two parts of the upper. Thisflexible strip of material may be lasted in to any extent desired aroundthe curve of the heel and forms part of the counter of the shoe. In thisconstruction of shoe the rear or counter of the shoe can be extended asshown in Figure 2 to permit the easy insertion of the foot into theshoe. After insertion of the foot into the shoe a portion 2a of theflexible strip is wrapped around the heel (Figure 3) and the other part25 of this strip is then bent over and lapped upon the portion 2a of thestrip. In order to retain the flexible strip in position around the heelthere is provided a flap 8 which is formed integrally with or issuitably secured to the upper 1. This flap is passed around the counterof the shoe and is shaped to fit the curvature of the heel of the foot,the said flap preferably extending from or connecting the inner to theouter side of the shoe. The free end of the flap is provided withfastening means t for retaining it in position. The flexible strip is,by this arrangement held firmly against the foot and is prevented fromforming ridges.

If desired the counter may be formed of two parts joined together in anysuitable manner as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the part 2a being formedintegrally with one part of the upper whilst the part 2?) comprises astrip of soft flexible material which is lasted in, and is sewn to theparts 2a and 3, respectively.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the folded in part of the counter isformed from a strip 2 of flexible material, for example similar to thatshown in Figures 1 to 3, which strip of material is connected to thepart of the upper on the inner side of the foot at 20 and to the part ofthe upper on the outer side of the foot at 2d. This strip of flexiblematerial is folded at 12 and wrapped around the wearers heel towards theinner side of the foot. It is retained in position around the heel by aflap consisting of two parts 5 and 6 which exert pressure upon the footin different directions.

The inner part 5 of the flap is advantageously secured along itsvertical edge to the counter part of the upper 1 of the shoe on theinner side of the foot, or it may be formed integrally with the counterpart, the said flap being tapered down at its inclined edge to meet theheel at the point where the seam at the back of the shoe is lasted in orattached to the sole. If desired, the upper portion of the vertical edgeof the flap 5, i. e. that portion of the substantially vertical edgebeneath the outer part 6 of the flap, may be left free and such freeedge may be out at an angle to the lower part of the vertical edge thatis secured or formed integrally with the counter part of the upper 1, asshown at 5a in Figures 6 and 7 The upper edge of such inner part 5 ofthe flap, when wrapped around the upper 1, extends beyond that part ofthe upper which exerts pressure on the heel of the wearer, i. e. beyondthe area of pressure on the rear part of the wearers heel. The otherpart 6 of the flap, which is the outer or overlapping part, may besecured to the counter partof the upper at the inner side of the foot,or, in cases where the inner flap 5 is made separately from the counter,the said part 6 may be formed integrally with the counter part of theupper.

The flap part 6 is provided with suitable means 4 for retaining the flapin its operative position.

This part of the flap is made to taper into the form of a strap and theupper edges of the two parts 5 and 6 are secured together as for exampleby sewing at T and may also be secured together at the inclined edge ofthe part 5 shown at 8.

By this means when the flap is fastened around the counter of the shoe,stress is exerted by the flap in two directions by the two partsthereof. The part 6 of the flap on which the retaining means a isarranged exerts a pressure upon the rear of the foot of the wearer ofthe shoe, especially adjacent the edge of the upper. Thus the counter isretained in close contact with the rear part of the foot of the wearerwhilst walking or the like. The inner part 5 of the flap is drawnupwards by the other or outer tensioned part of the flap. The inner part5 of the flap thus exerts an additional pressure upon the side of thefoot adjacent to the ankle and thereby the surface of the counter iscaused to fit smoothly over the surface of the rear part of the wearersfoot and additional grip of the shoe upon the heel is obtained. This isespe cially advantageous for walking, running, dancingand other forms ofexercise.

In cases where (a) the substantial leather portion of that part of theupper 1, Figure 8, is lasted at the rear of the counter to a pointinside the point to which the corresponding part of the opposite side ofthe upper is lasted or (b) the upper at the rear of the counter issimply folded in on itself, the inverted apex of such fold coming to apoint inside the point to which the corresponding part of the oppositeside of the upper is lasted, the part 5 of the flap may be dispensedwith as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. The flexible strip which issecured to the part of the upper on the inner side of the foot at 20 andto the upper on the outer side of the foot at 2d, is folded back onitself at 12 around part of the wearers heel. It is retained in positionby the part 9 of the flap bearing the fastening 4. The said part 9extends at its inner end (where united to the counter) only partly downtowards the heel along the median ver tical seam at the rear of thecounter to any point desired, and may be made integral y with the upperor be secured thereto.

Figures 11 and 12 show forms of goloshes L in accordance with thisinvention comprising a flap made of two parts 5 and 6 for retaining thecounter 2 in position and with a retainin means 4 secured to the flap 6.The golosh illustrated in Figure 12 is provided with an opening 10 topermit the heel of a shoe to be passed through the sole of the golosh.Both these forms of golosh can be also constructed without the said dualflap comprising the two parts 5 and 6 and in the same manner asexplained above and illustrated in Figure 8.

In a modification of shoe provided with a flap formed of two parts, thepart 6 of the flap e. g. Figures 6 and 7, to which the retaining means 4is secured is made to lie within the other part 5 of the flap. This maybe advantageous in cases where a smoother external surface is desired.

I claim:

1. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a flexible counter portion of the upper which forms at one endthe only continuation of the outer side of the upper beyond the verticalseam at the rear of the heel and is connected at its other end to theinner side of the upper and being of a size larger than that requiredfor fitting the foot, and means for retaining the counter folded back onitself around the heel of the foot.

2. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a strip of soft flexible material which forms at one end theonly continuation of the outer side of the upper and is connected at itsother end to the inner side of the upper and is adapted to be foldedback on itself at a position beyond the area of pressure on the heel ofthe foot to extend around the heel, and means for retaining the gaidstrip in position around the heel of the oot.

3. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a flexible counter portion of the upper which forms at one endthe only continuation of the outer side of the upper and is connected atits other end to the inner side of the upper and the said flexiblecounter portion being of a size larger than that required for fittingthe foot, a flap united to one side of the upper, and a securing deviceassociated with said flap for retaining the counter folded back onitself around the heel of the foot.

4. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a flexible counter portion of the upper which forms at one endthe only continuation of the outer side of the upper and is connected atits other end to the inner side of the upper, said flexible counterportion being of a size larger than that required for fitting the foot,a flap united to the inner side of the upper and extending only partlydown towards the sole along a median vertical seam in the region of therear of the heel, and a securing device associated with said flap forretaining the counter folded back on itself around the heel of the foot.

5. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attachedto the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a. flexible counter portion of the upper which forms at oneend the only continuation of the outer side of the upper beyond thevertical seam at the rear of the heel and is connected at its other endto the inner side of the upper, said flexible counter portion being ofasize larger than that required for fitting the foot, a flap united tothe inner side of the upper and extending only partly down towards thesole along a median vertical seam in the region of the rear of the heel,a securing device associated with said flap for retaining the counterfolded back on itself around the heel of the foot, and a second'flapextending from the rear of the upper.

6. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a flexible counter portion of the upper which forms at one endthe only continuation of the outer side of the upper beyond the medianseam at the rear of the heel and is connected at its other end to theinner side of the upper, said flexible counter portion being of a sizelarger than that required for fitting the foot, a flap united to theinner side of the upper and extending only partly down towards the solealong a median vertical seam in the region of the rear of the heel, asecuring device associated with said flap for retaining the counterfolded back on itself around the heel of the foot, a second flapextending from the rear of the upper, and means for securing the twoflaps together at their upper edges.

7 A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a counter portion of said upper, said counter portionconsisting of soft flexible material and forming at one end the onlycontinuation of the outer side of the up per, the vertical seam at therear of the heeh and being connected at its other end to the inner sideof the upper, the counter being of a size larger than that required forfitting the foot and being adapted to be folded back on itself aroundthe heel of the foot, a flap forming an extension of the inner side ofthe upper at the rear thereof, a second flap, which is of less depththan the first mentioned flap and which also forms an extension of thesaid inner side of the upper at the rear thereof and which is extendedto form a strap, and fastening means associated with said second flap tosecure the flaps around the heel to retain thereby the counter in itsfolded position around the heel of the foot.

8. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a counter portion of said upper, said counter portionconsisting of soft flexible material and forming at one end the onlycontinuation of the outer side of the upper beyond the vertical seam atthe rear of the heel, and being connected at its other end to the innerside of the upper, the counter being of a size larger than that requiredfor fitting the foot and being adapted to be folded back on itself andwrapped around the heel of the foot towards the inner side thereof, aflap forming an extension of the inner side of the upper at the rearthereof, a second flap, which is of less depth than the first men tionedflap and which also forms an extension of the said inner side of theupper at the rear thereof and which is extended to form a strap, andfastening means associated with said second flap to secure the flapsaround the heel to retain thereby the counter ifn its folded positionaround the heel of the oot.

9. A shoe, slipper, boot or the like, which comprises a sole, an uppereach side of Which is attached to the sole to a position at the rear ofthe heel, a counter portion of said upper, said counter portionconsisting of soft flexible material and forming at one end the onlycontinuation of the outer side of the upper beyond the vertical seam atthe rear of the heel and being connected at its other end to the innerside of the upper, the counter being of asize larger than that requiredfor fitting the foot and being adapted to be folded back on itself andwrapped around the heel of the foot towards the inner side thereof, aflap secured at the lower part of its vertical edge to the inner side ofthe upper and having the upper substantially vertical part of the edgeleft free and set at an angle to the lower vertical part thereof, asecond flap secured at its top edge to the upper edge of the firstmentioned flap, said second flap being of less depth than the firstmentioned flap and also forming an extension of the upper part of theinner side of said upper at the rear thereof and being extended to forma strap, and fastening means associated with said strap-like extensionto secure the flaps around the heel and thereby to retain the counter inits folded position around the heel of the foot.

PERCY WILLIAM BULLOCK.

